You are here: Home/Personal Development/ 8 Habits of Successful People You Need to Adapt if You Want to be Anything Like Them

8 Habits of Successful People You Need to Adapt if You Want to be Anything Like Them

April 7, 2015 By Lea_

For some people being successful seems to be the way they live their lives. Pretty much everything works out for them in a great way.

It reminds me of a time when someone was describing this type of person to me. She was actually telling me about a time when yet another thing seemed to work out for this person, while nothing was going right for her.

When she asked me if I knew a person like that, someone who everything’s coming up roses for, I got kind of stuck on that.

She continued to tell me how she and this person had much in common but her friend was clearly doing something differently since everything was rosy in her world.

By the end of the story the woman I was talking to was annoyed and frustrated with the very thought of her friend. She knew there was a disconnect but she couldn’t figure out what.

I think she chalked it up to luck because she couldn’t come up with a better line of reasoning.

The weird thing about blaming luck is that you’re basically accepting that you cannot make it happen for yourself. Unless luck is on your side you’re screwed. But that’s not how life works.

I’m sure the woman described didn’t have luck on her side all the time. She was successful at things because of what she did.

But when you can’t figure it out from the outside it’s easier to blame the one thing you can’t control. But doing that is never going to make you anything like them. It’s not going to make you anymore successful.

What’s luck got to do with it?

If you’ve learned anything from watching others evolve it should be that it has nothing to do with luck.

Look at your favorite celebrity, the one who’s background you know something about. They weren’t lucky enough to nail their first gig. It’s not like they walked into Hollywood and immediately got accepted with open arms.

A lot of celebrities had crappy first jobs and struggle for quite some time before seeing their names in lights.

They didn’t hold crappy jobs to build character, nor to develop one for a future role. They did it until they had to. Until they honed the right habits that breed success.

The thing is we all have habits but they’re not all good. They don’t benefit us when it comes to getting what we really want.

But when habits are so hard to break and they’ve become a part of you they become hard to shake. And quite honestly it may be the last place you look.

Sure you’ll try out a few things but they won’t make much of a difference. Because you don’t even know what you really need to change.

You don’t know what they’re doing that you’re not. It’s not as obvious as you think, which is why you blamed luck in the first place.

But it’s still right there in front of you, hiding in plain sight.

You don’t even realize you’re doing it but you still are.

When you’re trying to mirror someone else’s success you have to dig deeper. What truly makes them successful will not be lying smack-dab on top for you to see.

These little obscure, yet powerful things helped them, so they can help you even if your goal isn’t exactly the same as theirs.

You have to look into your habits because that very thing you do without thinking is what is tripping you up. You have to figure out what their good habits are a duplicate them.

Lucky for you (see this is when luck actually works) I’ve uncovered a number of them for you.

1. They’re realistic

Chances are your goals are not farfetched. But if you think you can open a restaurant and instantly become world renowned chef then your dream may seem impossible.

A lot is possible when you’re realistic about your time frames and what can be done.

It’s very common for people to overestimate what can be done in a certain period of time.

When you want something badly you want it to happen instantly but you have to remember good things take time.

2. They keep their eyes forward

When you think about success what comes to mind shortly after? Is it all the ways you fell short before? Forget about that stuff.

Stop focusing on how you failed in the past because all that’s going to do is make you fearful of the future. You’re not going to move forward in fear of falling into the same trap. But by focusing on the past you already have.

Challenges are going to come up but that doesn’t mean they’re going to knock you out of the game.

If you know that something is going to become a problem don’t let is halt your progress. Prep for a solution and keep going.

3. They’re appreciative

In the moment you may not understand why things aren’t working out exactly as planned but later on it can make perfect sense. Once you realize how everything worked out nicely allow yourself to feel gratitude.

And even when it’s too early to understand, be grateful that it’s still working out in some way.

Being appreciative makes you happy, and being content keeps you motivated for success.

4. They’re standards are up there

Everyone’s idea of success is different but they all have different levels. If you’re constantly shooting for the lower levels it’s no wonder you’re not successful the way you’d like.

Becoming comfortable with poor results doesn’t make you successful or happier with them.

You’re completely capable of achieving more and living a great life. Just give it a shot.

5. They don’t allow themselves to be victimized

It’s common to blame others for the bad things that have happened to you, saying that it’s completely out of your control. You’re the helpless victim, but you’re not.

And let’s face it that’s not going to get you anywhere.

While there may be some situations where you are a victim of circumstance you still have the ability to work your way out of it.

Taking responsibility for what’s going on in your life is the only way you can take control back. It’s powerful in more ways than one, and with it you can beat the odds.

6. They don’t compare

Why? Because there’s no comparison.

No matter how much you think you may have in common with another person there are still differences. They may not be obvious to you but there still is.

You think that your life should mirror that of someone else near your age, it doesn’t have to. Everyone is unique in a multitude of ways so it’s like comparing apples to oranges.

If you want to make a comparison to see if you’re on the right track compare your current to your past. Progress will let you know that you’re on the right path.

7. They value their mistakes

You may think that a setback is a sign to give up but it’s not. Regardless of what it is, it usually lets you know that there’s another way.

Mistakes and failures help you to pave the road to success. And successful people know this.

They didn’t let it stop them. Instead they used that new insight to their advantage. And look at them now.

8. They live in a grudge free zone

Holding a grudge keeps you in the past. It prevents you from making clear and smart decisions for yourself.

When you’re so focused on punishing another person, you live little room to work in other things.

While you may be upset with someone for a wrongdoing don’t let it prevent you from moving forward.

If you have to engage this person as part of your process for success consider the pros and cons before you completely dismiss it has part of your grudge.

Holding grudges has often been described as taking poison and expecting your enemy to suffer. Chances are you’re hurting yourself more than them.

No matter how much you may have convinced yourself in the past, another person’s continued success has nothing to do with luck. It may become easier for them but that’s because they’ve figure out the habits they need to keep to going.

If you want to be anything like them, and I know you do, who wouldn’t. You need to mimic the habits of successful people.

Waiting for luck to be on your side will keep you on the sidelines of life forever. Claim the success that is rightfully yours by changing your habits for the better.

Lea is a certified life coach, foodie and lifehack expert. Don’t end up like the millions of people who gave up on their dreams, get unstuck and to the next level. Take the eye-opening Live Your Dreams course now to get moving!

Thanks Lea for coming up with such wonderful points. I have also seen some friends who try to put luck as their protective shield. Whenever they are not able to come with any situation, they try to protect themselves with this strategy. But, they create a trap for themselves.
Success is not about wealth only. It’s all about your attitude. There should be no difference in attitudes before and after the success.

You make some great points. I’d very much agree with having high standards. If you set the bar high, you’ll shoot high. If you set the bar low, you’ll shoot low. But the key for me is that you don’t get mad if you don’t reach that high standard. You need to set the bar high, but at the same time not get mad if you don’t reach it. It’s good to push yourself, but if you get too frustrated when you don’t reach it, you’ll only sabotage your own efforts.

I applaud you for writing such an inspiring post Lea. I wish thousands come across this and make the most of it. I will be sharing it. You’re bang on with every single point you mentioned. I can relate to them all and the two most that I really live by are #3 and #5. Being grateful. I used to be hardly appreciative of what I had in my life, but things have changed and ever since I am thankful for what I have, life seems to be getting better and more beautiful. #5 is what I truly believe in. Yes! I have gone through horrible circumstances which could have led me to act like a victim my entire life…but there were moments and awesome people who explained how nothing comes out of playing the victim. Life simply gets tougher if we’re always feeling victimized. Thank you so much for these reminders. You’re AWESOME Lea:)

Doesn’t it? I noticed that too when I began to be more grateful. With that change better things keep coming your way.

Playing the victim only puts you at a disadvantage. If you want more you have to seize whatever opportunity you have, and in some cases you have to create it. So no time to play the blame game.

Thanks for reading, commenting and your truly kind words. 🙂

~Lea

Junie

Hi Lea,

Thanks for sharing another wonderful post. I totally agree that luck has nothing to do with success. If you’re lucky and have the wrong mindset, success might just pass you by. I’m a classic example of that.

I was lucky enough to start writing when I was quite young, and was told by lots of people that I would do really well in that field. I wrote many short stories, poems (I’m finally putting my poems into a book) and articles, but got distracted by men. I realise now that if I had developed a strategy or plan as a writer, I probably would have been quite successful.

I didn’t value my mistakes, #7, because the more I made, the farther they drew me away from my writing. I used setbacks as a sign to stop writing. So, it was like an on-off game for many years, till I decided to change my mindset and focus on achieving my dreams.

My favourite is #8 The Grudge Free Zone because everyone can learn and grow at least a little from applying this.

I like to keep moving and not be thinking and getting upset about the past. In the past I have wasted a lot of time doing this so now, I don’t waste any time and brush off most things. I take what I can and learn from situations and a persons behaviour next I decide how best to move forwards.

Lastly the women discussing her friend… I think people have to remember that no everyone shows us all their cards, all the time. Her friend may be successful but heavily stressed out with extra responsibilities, financial stretching or other sacrifices.

Plus sometimes the most successful people have made the biggest scarifies to get there. Ones this women may not be willing to make.

You have made great points indeed! Success has nothing to do with “luck” It is stetting those realistic goals for yourself, and taking those baby steps to achieve them. All the while knowing that things will interfere with a timeline you may have set up for yourself because “life happens.” Technology could fail and so many other things can pop up. But as long as we stay on track with our blinders on, we can overcome those bumps in the road. Take those and learn from them so they will never be repeated again and value them.

For me, I am in competition with one person..myself. I constantly stay on track and compete with myself. If I have to stop what I’m doing and pick up something to learn, I do consider it part of my journey to success.

That’s great Donna! That is the best way to acknowledge your progress while ensuring you constantly evolve.

It surely is. Afterall, what you’ve learn will be applied quickly I’m sure.

Thanks!

~Lea

Bruce

Great points Lea. I would like to add that courage and discipline are two important traits to become successful in life. Courage lets you to take risks and discipline helps you to focus and convert that risk into a reality allowing success to open its doors

It is strange that people would link Success to luck. I don’t blame people for thinking this way. No successful person has the time to sit and narrate every minute of his life. What he would tell you would mostly be the success story.

You are right and spot on about the habits of successful people. I do believe that comparing oneself is the greatest problem of humanity. It is best to learn about the habits of successful people and try to incorporate these habits based on your personality rather than copying these habits.

I know it can seem that way but it’s pretty typical for people who are not willing to put in the work. Since they’re not thinking about the struggle beforehand and can’t seem to get it for themselves, they blame luck. The other person is lucky and they’re not. I’m sure you’ve probably heard people say, “You’re lucky to (have this, do that).”

But I think we all know luck plays a small role in the bigger things in our lives.

People often compare to guage where they should be. But every life and path within it is different so comparing doesn’t help you sort much out. If anything, it holds you back and puts you in a bad place.

Loved this post, it is kinda motivating. Everyone wishes to be successful but everyone hardly is ready to take steps to be successful.

One more habit I would like to add here is… They don’t give excuses. Being realistic is so important. We might expect a lot from ourselves even without measuring whether it is really attainable. So yeah, being realistic and setting realistic goal might help us being successful.

Often we fall trap in comparing ourselves to our peers and that is when the real down fall can start. We can realize the real happiness, contentment and success once we stop comparing us with others. Each one is different and unique. Everyone’s abilities and disabilities are different.

I loved this line:

Holding grudges has often been described as taking poison and expecting our enemy to suffer. Chances are you are hurting yourself more than them.

This is so true. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post with us. Have a great day!

Yes, success doesn’t come easy, and although most people want to become successful or wish to follow them and become like the successful lots, they don’t realize all that it takes to reach that stage.

There is tremendous hard work and struggle behind it all, at least in most of the cases, though there are some lucky lots who gain success with no efforts put – they get it all inherited or gifted or on a silver platter!

You points are all apt – they sure do all of those things and much more. Wish more of us could learn from them.

Yes, typically the success admired by others was not easily obtained. You certainly need to be determined to be successful. The process can be tough but you have to keep going if you ever want to get to the finish line.

I can certainly connect with each point you have put forth.
WE do need to be realistic when we set our goals. We should aim for the sky but we shouldn’t expect to reach there in a day.
We need to be grateful to what we have in our lives only then will we receive more good things in our lives.
We need to value our mistakes and understand where we are going wrong so we don’t ever repeat them again.
We need to be grudge free to be happy.

Hi Lea
Great post and each of those habits was spot on. I really liked what you said about avoiding a victim mentality. On the surface, it is very easy to place blame on others for why things happened to us, but we attract all of it. That doesn’t mean we deserve the unwanted results or that it is our ‘fault.’ It is just about taking full responsibility for our experience and deciding we will not let outside circumstances dictate our path. It can take awhile to fully adopt this mentality and we don’t have to be perfect at it, but the more we buy into that way of thinking, the more empowered we become.

So true. In the end we have the ability to turn things around, we just have to be willing to take responsibility.

Thanks for sharing your insight.

~Lea

Yash Birajdar

Superb post, Lea, I really like your points.
I think key is awareness. Once we are alert, then the problem becomes less and we are happy.
I especially liked your point on comparison. its a true quality.
Thanks a lot for such wonderful post!!!!

Yes awareness is the foundation of all change. The only way you can get to where you want to be is knowing where you are.

Comparison typically is destructive rather than helpful because of the way it is done. You should only compare your past to your present.

Thanks for commenting.

~Lea

Lea

Welcome to the Leading Edge, I'm Lea. Here is where you'll find the support you need to get over the roadblocks and live the life that only seemed possible in your dreams. It may seem far fetched now but believe me it's not. I'm living proof! Read More…